watson and rayner

watson and rayner

1. procedure

   • this study involves one participant- 9 months old. known as Albert in this study
   • Firstly, Albert was shown the rat and other objects without being ocnditioned
   • Albert was again shown the rat and when he went to touch it a loud noise made by a hammer and a metal bar was made.
   • a week later, albert was again shown the rat and his conditioned response was freashened up 5 times
   • After this, Albert was shown other similar objects eg a rabbit to test whether the conditionied response can be generalised
   • Albert was taken to another environment (well-lit room) and was shown the rat again

2. Findings and conclusions

   • Albert showed no fear when shown the rat and other objects for the first time
   • When the loud noise was made Albert jumped and fell backwards
   • A week later, Albert was shown the rat again and he began to cry and shown severe signs of distress
   • When Albert was shown the rabbit his response was just as extreme. However when he was shown other objects they weren't as bad
   • When Albert was taken into another environment his response to the rat wasn't as severe as before however when his conditioned response was freshened up they were even worse than before
   • Phobias are created in this way
   • the conditioned response is long lasting, works in all environments and can be applied to other similar objects

3. evaluation

   • ethical issues
     • It was noted that when Albert was distressed he would suck his thumb as a way of calming himself down, this however effected the results as the conditioned response would be effected therefore watson and rayner had to take his thumb out of his mouth to make him scared
     • too young to understand
     • animals are distressed and albert under severe stress
     • Wasn't 'unconditioned'
   • it only involved one participant and therefore we can't generalise to others
   • was conducted in a lab and therefore can control extraneous variables